Historic launch of the Bondi to Manly Walk
25 November 2018 | Media Release
Historic launch of the Bondi to Manly Walk
Representatives from all three levels of government came together today to announce an historic partnership to create a single walking track from Bondi Beach to Manly Beach.
The Bondi to Manly Walk will link all of the existing coastal and harbourside walking tracks and paths between Bondi Beach and Manly Beach.
Once completed this 80 kilometre public walking track will be a internationally significant multi day walking track, and promises to be one of the worlds greatest urban walks.
The Bondi to Manly Walk has been established through the cooperation of the City of Sydney, Mosman Council, North Sydney Council, Northern Beaches Council, Waverley Council, Woollahra Council, Property New South Wales, the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, and Bondi to Manly Walk Supporters.
The installation of physical way marks, along an agreed coastal and harbourside walking track, all on existing public land, will complete this project.
Comments from each of the signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Bondi to Manly Walk are set out below.
NSW Minister for Environment Gabrielle Upton said: "Many visitors to Sydney are delighted to find so much natural beauty within an urban setting. “Sydney Harbour National Park provides many opportunities to enjoy our natural, Aboriginal and historic heritage,” Ms Upton said. “The Bondi to Manly Walk will help to link these magnificent iconic destinations and provide a drawcard for visitors to and within Sydney. The NSW Government and the National Parks and Wildlife Service are very pleased to be supporting this initiative".
Waverley Mayor John Wakefield said: "Waverley Council is excited to be part of a positive initiative that encourages people to explore our beautiful coastline on foot. The Bondi to Manly Walk will include the Waverley Cliff Walk- our northern coastal cliff walk from Bondi Beach- which links parks in Dover Heights to Vaucluse, and offers breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour and the Pacific Ocean cliffs. Establishing the Bondi to Manly Walk will highlight how fortunate we are to live in a city surrounded by nature".
Woollahra Mayor Peter Cavanagh said: “Woollahra Council is thrilled to be able to showcase our local area through the Bondi to Manly Walk, which will include our stunning harbour foreshore parks, landmarks, beaches and heritage buildings. From the iconic Macquarie Lighthouse to Murray Rose Pool and the hidden gems along the way, we look forward to more visitors and locals enjoying the spectacular scenery we have to offer”.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said: “Making it easier for people to walk improves public health, enhances city liveability and strengthens the local economy. It’s also a bonus to have somewhere beautiful to walk! This new walk will trace our beautiful Sydney Harbour from the southern entry to the Harbour Bridge, through to Circular Quay, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Woolloomooloo and Rushcutters Bay Park, through streets in Potts Point and Elizabeth Bay. It will be a wonderful addition to our city".
North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson said: “We’re delighted to be part of this exciting initiative to get residents and visitors exploring more of our city in a new way. When walkers on the trail make it to our side of the bridge, they will find there’s a lot to see and do, from enjoying a few laps of our historic Olympic Pool to a ride at Luna Park or a visit to Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden".
Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Mosman's natural beauty, highlight our rich Indigenous history and culture and with every step along the walk unveil to visitors and locals the most beautiful harbour in the world".
Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan said: “We are thrilled to be part of the partnership that will see a world-class walk the length of our magnificent harbour. Manly is the perfect book end, being home to so many great cafes, restaurants and one of the world’s most iconic beaches".
Mary Darwell, Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Harbour Federation Trust said "The new walk connects with the Harbour Trust lands once locked away from public access for defence and industrial purposes and now remediated and opened for public enjoyment. The walk now includes the recently opened Sub Base Platypus at North Sydney".
Brett Newman, Chief Executive Officer, Property NSW, , said: “This initiative is a great example of all tiers of government collaborating to offer visitors to our harbour city, as well as Sydneysiders, a truly unique experience. The culturally significant waterfront precincts of The Rocks and Circular Quay are at the heart of this walk and we welcome the opportunity to showcase their history, unique experiences and entertainment offerings to visitors".
John Faulkner, Chair, Bondi to Manly Walk Supporters said "This walk is only possible because of the support and commitment of the six Local Councils, and three government agencies taking part in today’s launch. Their foresight, generosity and cooperative spirit has made this walk a reality".
Bondi to Manly Walk Supporters is a not for profit incorporated association established to help promote the Bondi to Manly Walk.
Each of the parties to this joint statement can be reached separately for further media comment. Further details of the proposed walking track are available at www.bonditomanly.com
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Waverley Council: Deborah Field, 0416 075 532 or media@waverley.nsw.gov.au
Bondi to Manly Walk Supporters - Lachlan Harris, 0418 946 587
City of Sydney: Julia Lenton, 0410 748 039
Mosman Council: Diane Lawrence, 0419 784 008
North Sydney Council: Suzannah Hills, 0457 314 988
Northern Beaches Council: Kath McKenzie, 0412 428 114
Woollahra Council: Matt Frilingos, 0407 995 175
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage: Mark Fordham, 0437 413 418